Where Ecotourism facilitates Conservation: Manas National Park

In a remote forest camp of Manas National Park stands Banikanta proud in his uniform. He is not a Forest guard but a Bodo who voluntarily helps in the protection of the park. This is indeed an unusual situation rarely seen in any other part of the country.

Manas known for its rare and endangered wildlife, not found anywhere else in the world, such as Assam Roofed Turtle, the Hispid Hare, the Golden Langur and the Pygmy Hog, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Ironically, in 1992, it was put it in the category of ‘World Heritage Site in Danger’ due to heavy poaching and terrorist activities. The ‘80s were a turbulent time for Assam with the beginning of the movement to demand a separate land for the Bodos. This movement took a huge toll on the national park first, since   the insurgent groups and militants used the forests as hideouts and second because, both national and international poaching groups took advantage of the situation leading to destruction. The once resplendent park became a mere shadow of its former self.

In 2003, the Bodo Accord resulted in the establishment of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). This also brought with it a realization that Manas once the pride of the Bodos, needed to be restored to its former glory. Local youth and activists from the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) decided to take the responsibility for this through their local unit of Chapaguri Koklabari Anchalik Committee (CKAC). The restoration of the park and the endeavour to make it an important tourist destination was thus incorporated as a special package in the Bodo Accord. The Accord also emphasized that participatory tourism should be promoted in Manas.

Through the support of the ABSU and CKAC, came into being, the Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society (MMES), primarily to look after conservation and ecotourism issues in and around Manas. A membership organization, MMES members include ABSU workers, former Bodo Liberation Tigers Force (BLTF) members, ex-poachers, ex-timber fellers and local community members from fringe villages of Manas.  

 

The Society gets its name from a legend about a self styled king who ruled in this area in the mid 18^th century. Among his many workers was a short stout female cook, who the king really favoured because of her hard work and dedication. He lovingly called her ‘Maozigendri’ (literally meaning pot-bellied female cat). One day, she was washing in the river close by when she collapsed and died. The king was greatly saddened on hearing this and declared that the river be called Maozigendri after her. Understanding the significance of the river for local people, the Society (MMES) was thus named. Perhaps the name also indicates prosperity and good health, both important for the Manas National Park.

MMES set up the Manas Maozigendri Jungle Camp to facilitate tourism in the area. The tourism infrastructure at the camp is small, essentially consists of four cottages and a dining cum common room all built with bamboo and other indigenous material. There is additional accommodation at another location. MMES carries out what it terms ‘participatory tourism’ where the tourists are encouraged to participate in various activities of MMES such as patrolling in the park, monitoring and census of various faunal species. Revenue earned from tourism does not go back to the community. The entire profit is spent for conservation after paying expenses and salary/remuneration. Guards at each of the posts within Manas, have also been trained to keep records of wildlife sightings too. Digen at one of the forest posts, very proudly showed us this record.

In 2005, Help Tourism, an organization promoting tourism, particularly in the Northeast stepped in to support MMES specifically in its ecotourism work. It also played a catalytic role particularly when Manas was declared a World Heritage Site in danger and mobilised support for the Park. The first step towards this was attempts at stopping of all poaching in an area of 250 sq. km. The felling of trees and sale of wild meat was also prohibited in this area. The hunters/poachers were punished and subsequently rehabilitated for patrolling and protection. Help Tourism has basically motivated the local people, ensured that an appropriate institutional structure is in place and has also facilitated capacity building through training programmes in the hospitality sector.

Out of the 60 plus villages in the fringe area of the park, at least 17 are involved in various activities of MMES. The biggest challenge being faced by the Society today is how to keep up with providing rations to the volunteers who patrol the park. MMES gets some support from the Forest Department who has accepted the Society and its members as partners in conservation. But even more significant is the fact that the political system in the form of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) supports this initiative and would be keen to support many more of this kind.

 

Manas has been the victim of severe political strife for over 17 years. There is also an entire cadre of people who have in the past been involved in illegal felling of trees and poaching of wild animals. There is a need to focus their energies on something positive and constructive. This initiative has given Bodos a sense of pride and purpose to help regain the lost splendour of the park. The ecotourism initiative in particular has brought to Manas a number of tourists, both domestic and foreign giving the local people a further incentive to protect what is left of a once ravaged ecosystem. Also, since the activities of MMES are so intricately connected, all the stakeholders including tourists and volunteers see the connection between the health of the ecosystem, tourism and the well being of the local community. Through MMES and many like it perhaps the value of ecotourism as a tool to link conservation and communities will be recognized.